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Visa Types

F-1

Enrolled as a full-time student or Employed on F-1 Optional Practical Training*

Eligible to work on campus | No separate work permission required

Maximum 20 hours per week when school is in session, up to full-time during vacation periods when not enrolled

Off campus work with authorization only.

*F-1 Optional Practical Training

An international student in F-1 status may apply for temporary employment authorization to be used upon the completion of degree program course requirements.

Once the authorization has been approved by USCIS, an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is issued.

Departments at UNT may employ F-1 OPT students for a period of time within the validity of the EAD.

F-2

Dependent spouse or child under 21 of F-1

Eligible for avocational or recreational courses. Ex. pottery in a community program

Not eligible to be a student

Not eligible for any kind of work authorization

J-1 Student

Enrolled as full-time student or employed in academic training

May not be supported by personal funds

Students must be enrolled full-time

Students are eligible to work on campus only with permission of sponsor

Maximum 20 hours per week when school is in session

Up to full-time during vacation periods when not enrolled

Off-campus work with authorization from sponsor only

J-1 Academic Training

Student in J-1 status may apply for a temporary employment authorization known as Academic Training (A/T) to be used during a degree program or after the completion of course requirements.

Once the authorization has been approved by the student’s J program sponsor, the J-1 receives a Letter of Authorization and extended DS-2019.

Departments at UNT may employ J-1 A/T students for a period of time within the 18-36 month validity of the Letter of Authorization.

J-1 Student Intern

Not enrolled at UNT

Minimum 32 hours per week internship | Maximum 12 months

UNT Departments must consult International Student and Scholar Services about process

J-1 Scholar (Exchange Visitor)

Post Bachelor's degree, Master's or PhD

Research and/or Teaching

Categories Include:

Short Term - 6 months maximum

Research - 3 weeks minimum to 5 year maximum

Professor - 3 weeks minimum to 5 year maximum

May be supported by private or other funds

May only be employed by employer listed on DS-2019

The majority of temporary visiting researchers and scholars come to lecture or conduct research as J-1 Exchange Visitors

Short-Term scholars are allowed to remain in the U.S. up to six months

Scholar/Researchers can be extended to up to five years.

UNT Departments must consult International Student and Scholar Services about process

J-1 Au Pair

May be employed ONLY by the host familiy

May attend school

Required to take a certain number of classes

J-2

Dependent spouse and children under 21 of J-1

May attend school part-time or full-time if desired

May apply for work permission from USCIS

H-1B

Visa status for employment in specialty occupation

Minimum Bachelor's degree

Approval process includes Department of Labor and USCIS

Employment only allowed for employer listed on I-129 form

Approval for up to 3 years, extendable to 6 years

May attend school only as incident to employment

Employees in certain non-tenured faculty titles and researchers

Tenure-track faculty members and permanent researchers

H-1B petitions require approximately six to eight months to process

UNT Departments must consult International Student and Scholar Services about process

H-4

Dependent spouse and children under 21 of H-1B

May attend school part-time or full-time

May not be employed. No work permission available.

Visa Waiver (WB or WT)

Visitor for tourism or business

90 days maximum

Must leave U.S. at 90 days. Cannot extend or change status inside U.S.

No employment

Some expenses may be reimbursed. Consult Payroll Office.

As of summer 2010, will not have I-94 card

B-1 or B-2

B-1 is for Business | B-2 is for Tourism

I-94 indicates length of allowed stay

No employment

Use form I-539 to apply for extension of stay

Some expenses may be reimbursed for B-1. Consult Payroll.

A

Diplomatic visa for employees of recognized foreign governments on official business

Dependents may study

Work permission may be granted in certain cases by USCIS to A-1 and A-2 dependents

E

E-1 Trader

E-2 Investor

E-3 Australian work visa

One year validity; renewable for two years at a time

Spouse may apply for work permission from USCIS

Dependent children may not be employed | Dependents may attend school

K

Fiancé(e) of American citizen

90 day admission for purpose of marriage to American | No extension

Must apply for permanent residency within 90 day period

May attend school | May apply for USCIS work permission

L

Employees of multinational companies

Length of validity and extension varies

May study only as incident to employment

Dependents may study

Spouses may apply for work permission from USCIS

Children may not work

O

O-1 Extraordinary ability in the Sciences, Arts, Education, Business, or Athletics; Motion Picture or Television industries

Certain outstanding employees that have received and sustained national and international acclaim may qualify for an O-1 visa

Up to 3 year validity with one year extensions

Employer specific

Dependents may not work

Dependents may attend schools as long as no paid research assistantship, etc, is involved.

P

Performance artists and athletes

Holder may study only incident to work.

Dependents may study full or part-time

Holder may be employed only as approved on petition

Dependents would need independent employment authorization

R

Religious Worker

Visa holder may work only for the employer listed on the petition

Visa holder may attend school only as incident to the employment

Dependents may attend school full or part-time, dependents may not work

TN

NAFTA Treaty - employment from Canada or Mexico to work in certain fields

3 year duration

Canadians apply at port of entry; do not need visa stamp

Mexicans apply at consulate for visa

Employment only for employer listed

May attend school incident to employment

Dependents may attend school, dependents cannot work

U

Victims of crime and family members

All can attend school

All can apply to USCIS for work permission

V

LIFE Act dependents of non-immigrants: spouses and minor children of legal permanent residents (LPRs) who are the beneficiaries of a family-based second preference (2A only) immigrant visa petition filed on or before December 21, 2000, and who have been waiting for immigrant status for 3 years or more.